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Grown-Up Mac & Cheese
This mac & cheese is all grown-up with hints of pepper, spicy charcuterie meats & cheeses, and even a vegetable!
“Take people’s opinion of you with a grain of salt...and some pepper, noodles, cheese...maybe a little bacon...because mac and cheese matters more than what anyone thinks of you.”
— UNKNOWN
Life is kinda crazy and way to short to worry about what other people think of you. Way better to think about mac & cheese. After all, it is national mac and cheese day.
Before my husband and I started dating, one of the things he noticed about me was the food I brought to parties. Now, he claims it was how cute I looked, but the man is a foodie and has a taste for the spicy. I'm still not certain it wasn't the charcuterie board I brought with me that day. we may never know, but every time I make the peppery mac and cheese, I think that board piled high with spicy meats and cheeses that inspired the mac. Ironically, this mac & cheese has become a regularly requested dish and it's perfect for national mac & cheese day!
This mac & cheese is all grown-up with hints of pepper, spicy charcuterie meats & cheeses, and even a vegetable! Simple to make, it has an extra pop of flavor and is easy to customize for your family using your favorite cheeses and meats.
Grown-Up Mac & Cheese
Servings
Prep Time
Cook Time
Ingredients
Total Time
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Equipment
- 2 pots
- 1 colander
- Cheese grater
- Baker dish (equivalent of 9X13) (plus pan for chicken and bacon, if including)
Ingredients
- 16 ounce box of pasta (shells, penne, etc. - I use whatever I have on hand)
- 1-2 TablespoonS olive oil
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- 4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 6 cups mixed cheeses (I like cheddar, gruyere, pepper jack and habanero cheeses)
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Slap Ya Mamma seasoning (optional)
- 4-6 slices bacon (optional)
- 4-6 slices prociutto (optional)
- 4-6 slices sopresata (optional)
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed (optional)
- 1/2 can of artichoke hearts (optional)
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- in a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add pasta and salt to taste and cook according to directions on package (cook slightly less than time for al dente, as this pasta will bake ~15 minutes in the oven.
- Shred and mix your cheeses. If adding bacon or chicken, cook these now.
- In a second large pot, add your butter and flour and combine. Cook for about 1 minute then gradually add in your whipping cream and 1/3 of your cheese.
- Strain pasta and toss with olive oil.
- Add pasta into cheese and cream mixture, fully coating in cheese.
- Add in your meats and artichoke hearts into the pasta mixture.
- Drizzle a little olive oil in your baker dish.
- Pour 1/2 of your cheesy pasta into your dish.
- Cover the pasta with another 1/2 of your shredded cheese.
- Pour the remaining pasta into your dish and top with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake for ~15 minutes until cheese topping bakes and crisps.
For all you mac and cheese addicts, check out Melt and Mac + Cheese Cookbook from the restaurant Home Room.
Stay safe and happy cooking!
XOXO,
